Regional efficiency reports an ‘important milestone’

Date: 13 Feb 2017

The tabling of two regional efficiency reports this week at the West Coast Mayors and Chair Forum marks an important milestone for the West Coast Councils and the Local Government Commission in their collaborative work programme.

The two reports, funded by the Commission in agreement with the West Coast Councils as part of the Councils’ regional efficiency initiatives, focus on joint Resource Management Act planning and regional roading infrastructure.

The RMA report (PDF, 2.7MB), authored by Boffa Miskell, identifies the challenges and opportunities for delivering more cost-effective and efficient Resource Management Act services in the West Coast region along with possible options for change. Similarly the transport report (PDF, 2.9MB), by Rationale. Both reports can be read at www.lgc.govt.nz.

“These reports are testament to the constructive spirit in which the West Coast Councils, on behalf of their ratepayers, residents and businesses, have engaged with this process for identifying efficiencies and cost-savings in these two important areas,’’ said Local Government Commissioner Janie Annear.

“They are an excellent basis on which to consider whether further work by the Commission and the Councils on a potential option, or options, should be done.

“We congratulate the Councils for their contributions to this milestone and look forward to working with them further,’’ Mrs Annear said.

The West Coast Mayors and Chair agreed that the reports were an important step towards finding “efficiencies for ratepayers” as well as delivering an improved level of service collectively.

“These reports consolidate the strong and collaborative working relationship between the West Coast Councils and the Commission developed over the last year or so,’’ said the Mayors and Chair. “We are all on the same page in terms of wanting the best possible outcomes for the West Coast. It just makes sense.”

In tandem with this joint regional efficiency work, the Commission has been progressing an application for local government reorganisation including, at the beginning of this month, calling for alternative applications, or other proposals for change to local government arrangements on the West Coast.

Note: This is a joint media statement by the Local Government Commission and the West Coast Mayors and Chair forum.